54 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



forwarded on a large scale to long distances [J. E. Brown], in the 

 same manner as bamboo- joints are used in India, Rows or belts of 

 it intercept sewage or exsiccate stagnant drainage. The roots can 

 readily be carried by tourists ; landscapes might thus far be 

 embellished. Pasture-animals like to browse 011 the young foliage, 

 Dr. Bancroft proved this plant a splendid " stay-by " in seasons of 

 drought, and recommends reserve-fields of it regularly to be kept. 



Arundo Karka, Roxburgh. 



India, China, Japan. The Durma-mats are made of the split 

 steins of this tall reed. 



Arundo Pliniana, Turra. 



On the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, A smaller plant than 

 A. Donax, with more slender stems and narrower leaves, but 

 similarly evergreen, and resembling the Donax-reed also in other 

 respects. 



Arundo saccharoides, Grisebach. (Gynerium saccharoides, Himiboldt.) 

 Northern parts of South-America. Attaining a height of 20 feet. 

 Like the following, it is conspicuously magnificent. 



Arundo Sellowiana. Schultes.* (Arundo dioica, Sprengel non Loureiro r 

 (Gynerium argenteum, Nees.) 



The " Pampas-grass " of Uruguay, Paraguay and La Plata- 

 States. A grand autumnal-flowering reed, with gorgeous feathery 

 panicles. As an industrial plant it deserves here a place, because 

 paper can be prepared from its leaves, as first shown by the 

 author. 



Asimina triloba, Duual. 



South-Eastern States of North-America, extending to New York, 

 A small tree ; the comparatively large pulpy fruit is of pleasant 

 odor and of sw r eet taste, and when well ripened it is edible. Prof. 

 Naudin thinks that by selection from carefully cultivated plants 

 the fruit would much improve. 



Asparagus acutifolius, Linnr. 



In all the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, also in the 

 Canary-Islands. Although a shrubby Asparagus, yet the root- 

 shoots, according to Dr. Heldreich, are collected in Greece, and are 

 tender and of excellent taste, though somewhat thinner than those 

 of the ordinary herbaceous species ; in Istria and Dalmatia they 

 are consumed as a favorite salad. The sbrub grows on stony rises, 

 and the shoots are obtained without cultivation. A. aphyllus, L, 

 and A. horridus, L., according to Dr. Reinhold, are utilised in the 

 same manner, and all may probably yield an improved product by 

 regular and careful culture. 



